Deadly night in San Fernando Valley: 2 killed, 8 hurt in 6 shootings

Police plan to beef up patrols after an unusual spike in violence from North Hollywood to Northridge.
By Andrew Blankstein and Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
8:55 AM PDT, May 21, 2008

Six shootings in the San Fernando Valley left two people dead and eight wounded, Los Angeles police said this morning.

The outbursts of violence over a six-hour period Tuesday night was highly unusual for the Valley. Police officials could not recall a crime spike over such a short period in recent memory.

Officials said they planned a swift response to the violence, including a marked increase in police presence. Although they could not give specific numbers, they said the deployment could include dozens of additional officers.

The first shooting occurred in North Hollywood about 6:15 p.m. One person was found dead at Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Vanowen Street after what witnesses described as a car-to-car shootout, said LAPD Officer Ana Aguirre.

Less than an hour later, in what police said was a related shooting, shots rang out at Oxnard Street and Whitsett Avenue. One person was found dead there.

A “person of interest” tried to flee but was tracked down by a police dog and taken into custody, police said. The man’s name was not released.

A third shooting was reported in Northridge shortly before 7 p.m. A 16-year-old boy was walking on the 8600 block of Wilbur Avenue near Napa Street when a Chevrolet sport utility vehicle drove up. The suspect emerged and shot the boy in the face and shoulder.

Then, at 8:15 p.m, four people were shot and wounded on the 10100 block of Vena Avenue in Pacoima. One person was in critical condition with chest and back wounds. The other victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police suspect the attack was gang-related.

The fifth shooting was reported around 9:45 p.m. at Vaughn Street and Bromont Avenue in Pacoima. Police said the suspects drove by in a white Lexus and shot two men walking on the sidewalk; one was shot in the ankle and the other in the buttocks.

The last shooting was reported at 11:15 p.m. at 15000 Nurmi Ave. in Sylmar. A man was shot in the arm by someone who fired from a dark-colored Honda Civic, police said. There were four suspects in the car, according to police.